Drain protector



Feb. 18, 1964 A. R. ALBERICO 3,121,682

DRAIN PROTECTOR Filed Aug. 1, 1960 INVENTOR. 42 Alice R. Alberico UnitedStates Patent 3,121,682 DRAIN PRGTECTOR Alice R. Alhcrieo, 431 Myra Way,San Francisco 27, Calif. Filed Aug. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 46,526 2 Claims.(Ci. 210-166) This invention relates to a new and improved drainprotector, and more particularly to a protector replacing or placed overthe cover plate of a conventional storm drain, so constructed as toprevent leaves and other debris from clogging the opening of the drain.

A conventional storm drain installed in sidewalk, floors, driveways, andother similar locations is a square or rectangular plate of castironhaving a pattern of holes through which water flows to a storm sewerconnection. Such drains and their plates are very commonly used. One ofthe difliculties encountered by householders and the like is the factthat leaves from trees, garden debris and similar matter tends to clogthe drain holes and this can create a serious problem in the event ofsevere rainfall. The present invention has for its principal purpose theprovision of means for keeping such leaves, etc. at a distance from thedrain opening.

Still another purpose of the invention is to provide a strainer whichpermits the flow of water to the drain, but catches leaves and the likein such manner that the leaves may periodically be cleaned away withoutdifficulty.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that the strainerwhich prevents leaves from accumulating to clog the drain openings is ofrelative low height so that, in emergencies, where a considerablequantity of water is backed up around the drain and where leaves haveaccumulated in sufficient quantity to clog the protector, the fiow ofwater may pass over the top of the protector and thence into the drainopening. This is a safety feature which is of particular advantage.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that it may bereadily installed on conventional drains without the use of specialtools and equipment.

A still further feature of the invention is the fact that it is simplein construction and of low cost of manufac ture.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of auxiliary meanswhere the accumulation of leaves is particularly severe which may beinstalled seasonallyi.e., when leaves are falling-to surround theprotector heretofore described and act as an additional means forscreening out the leaves.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of screeningover the top of the auxiliary protector which prevents leaves fromfalling into the protector from direct- 1y overhead as would be the caseif a tree were growing above the drain opening.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification, and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan showing the primary device installed as a protectorreplacing a conventional cover plate for a storm drain.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line2-2 of FIG. '1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the auxiliary ring aroundthe primary protector and also showing the protector on top of aconventional cover plate for said storm drain.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 44of FIG. 3.

3,121,582 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 FIG. 5 is a sectional view takensubstantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

At the present, a conventional storm drain 11 may be a verticallydisposed pipe or other conduit leading to a storm sewer or otherdrainage accumulator. Such a drain 11 is, in accordance with the presentinvention, installed in a walk-way 12, or flooring, roof or the like.Set into the concrete walk-way 12, above the drain 1-1, is a frame 13,preferably rectangular in shape. It will be understood that withsuitable modification the present invention may be used in conjunctionwith frames of different shape. A ledge 14 is cut around the inner edgeof the frame 13. Used in conjunction with frame 13 is a cover plate 16(see FIG. 3), rectangular in shape and having dimensions to fit insidethe ledge 14. A plurality of holes 17 is formed in the plate 16, therebeing 16 such holes as shown in the accompanying drawing and the numberbeing subject to considerable modification. Formed in one side of theframe 13 is a pair of recesses 18, in the inner periphery of frame 13,which receive ears 19 of the plate 16. The cars fit into the recesses insuch manner as to hold the plate in position. On the side opposite thecars 19 is a lug 21 fitting in notch 15 in frame 113. Lug 21 receivesscrew 22 tapped into hole 23 in frame 13. The protector of the presentinvention is used to replace the cover plate 16 as in FIG. 2. However,it may also be installed directly over plate 16 as in FIG. 3 and held inplace by the same means as the plate. For simplicity of description, thelatter usage will be hereinafter described in detail.

The present invention provides a protector 20 to prevent clogging ofdrain 11. For such purpose there is provided a bottom 26, having thegeneral shape of the plate 16 and formed with holes 27. When used on topof plate 16, holes 27 must match holes 17. Around the sides of thebottom 26 vertical upstanding side members 28, having scallops 29 alongthe top edge, it being observed that the top edge is of an elevationsuch that in emergencies water may overflow the sides 28 and directlydown into the drain. If desired, sides 28 may be made removable. Sides28 are formed with vertical slits 31, so that the portions bet-weenslits 31 comprise fingers 32 which act to strain out leaves but topermit water to flow normally through the slits 31 and thence throughholes 27 and 17 into the drain 11. The fingers 32 are preferably crimpedor angular in plan and twisted slightly out of vertical position toaccommodate a greater :quantity of waterv Projecting horizontally outfrom base 26 is an ear 36 corresponding in position to lug 21 andfitting in notch 15 and from the opposite edge ears 37 fit insiderecesses 18.

Where the problem of leaves is particularly serious, an auxiliary devicemay be used and preferably used temporarily during the fall when theaccumulation of leaves is unusually severe. Such an auxiliary protectoris a ring 41 surrounding the protector heretofore described likewiseformed of sheet metal and having slits 42 extending up from the bottom.To give the ring 41 rigidity, the shape is preferably crimped in topplan as best shown in FIG. 4, in that the various sides of the ring areformed in small panels 43 at angles to each other. The slits 42 extendup about one-half of the height of the ring 41. To prevent leaves fromfalling directly inside the ring 41, screening 46 may be placed over thetop of the ring 41, a short down turned skirt 47 integral with top 46being fastened to the ring 41.

Thus the present invention provides an auxiliary as well as a primaryprotector to prevent clogging the holes 17 of a storm drain cover 16.The primary protector is substituted for or attached directly to theplate 16 by the ewe means which hold the plate 16 in the frame 13. Theprotector has slits through which water may normally flow into the drain11, but which block the passage of leaves and other debris which mightclog the holes 17. On the other hand, in cases of emergencies theprotector is short enough so that water may overflow. The auxiliaryprotector, which may be placed around the primary protector in season,is of greater diameter than the periphery of the primary protector andthus has a greater area for screening out leaves.

What is claimed is:

1. In a storm drain protector, a frame shaped to surround a drainopening formed with a ledge in its upper surface and a notch, acoverplate closing off said opening and fitting within said ledge andformed with a plurality of first holes for drainage, a pair ofoppositely disposed lugs on said plate, at least one of said lugsapertured, one said lug fitting in said notch, a fiat sheet metal basehaving a shape substantially congruent to said plate and lying flat ontop of said plate, said base formed with a plurality of second holescorresponding in number and position to said first holes, a pair of carsprojecting oppositely from said base, one ear extending into said notch,a screw fitting through the other said ear and said apertured lug andthreaded into said frame to retain said plate and base in position, aplurality of fingers integral with said base and bent upwardsubstantially at right angles to said base around the entire perimeterof said base, said fingers separated by first slits extending downapproximately to the level of said base to permit ingress of water tosaid first and second holes, said first slits being relatively narrow toscreen out leaves and debris, said fingers :being bent angular intransverse cross-section and flaring slightly outward at the top, a ringof substantially larger periphery than said base surrounding said baseand plate and formed with a plurality of second slits extending up fromits bottom edge to permit flow of water t through said ring and thenceto said first slots, and screening over the top of said ring.

2. A storm drain protector comprising a fiat sheet metal base formedwith a plurality of holes in a pattern, a pair of cars projectingoppositely from said base, a plurality of fingers integral with saidbase and bent upward substantially at right angles to said base aroundthe entire periphery of said base, said fingers separated by first slitsextending down approximately to the level of said base to permit ingressof Water to said holes, said first slits being relatively narrow toscreen out leaves and debris, said fingers bent angular in transversecross-seetion and flaring slightly outward at the top, a ring ofsubstantially larger periphery than said base surrounding said base andplate and formed with a plurality of second slits extending up from itsbottom edge to permit flow of water through said ring to said firstslits, and screening over the top of said ring. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES lATENTS232,948 Dernham Oct. 5, 1880 425,198 Bayley Apr. 8, 1890 1,109,740 DehnSept. 8, 1914 1,538,924 Boosey May 26, 1925 1,763,174 Morris June 10,1930 1,862,134 Boosey June 7, 1932 2,518,205 Vinokor Aug. 8, 19502,665,009 Harstick Ian. 5, 1954 2,674,961 Lake Apr. 13, 1954 2,807,368Blau Sept. 24, 1957 2,859,875 Wilkie Nov. 11, 1958 2,889,928 Sisk June9, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 71,639 Germany Oct. 31, 1893 450,633 Canada Aug.24, 194-8

1. IN A STORM DRAIN PROTECTOR, FRAME SHAPED TO SURROUND A DRAIN OPENINGFORMED WITH A LEDGE IN ITS UPPER SURFACE AND A NOTCH, A COVERPLATECLOSING OFF SAID OPENING AND FITTING WITHIN SAID LEDGE AND FORMED WITH APLURALITY OF FIRST HOLES FOR DRAINAGE, A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSEDLUGS ON SAID PLATE, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID LUGS APERTURED, ONE SAID LUGFITTING IN SAID NOTCH, A FLAT SHEET METAL BASE HAVING A SHAPESUBSTANTIALLY CONGRUENT TO SAID PLATE AND LYING FLAT ON TOP OF SAIDPLATE, SAID BASE FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF SECOND HOLES CORRESPONDINGIN NUMBER AND POSITION TO SAID FIRST HOLES, A PAIR OF EARS PROJECTINGOPPOSITELY FROM SAID BASE, ONE EAR EXTENDING INTO SAID NOTCH, A SCREWFITTING THROUGH THE OTHER SAID EAR AND SAID APERTURED LUG AND THREADEDINTO SAID FRAME TO RETAIN SAID PLATE AND BASE IN POSITION, A PLURALITYOF FINGERS INTEGRAL